VIRTUAL TOUR OF GUNSTON HALL

Photo by Dennis McWaters

CENTRAL PASSAGE

A black walnut front door opens to what is truly the heart of the house, a wide hall lined by six symmetrically-paired Doric-style pilasters and intricately carved entablature. The centerpiece is a double arch with a boldly carved pine cone dividing the front and back halls. Two pairs of doors on either side of the front passage mirror each other, although one of them leads nowhere. This false door, set across from the door to the side passage provided a symmetrical balance so prized in Georgian architecture. Wallpaper covered the front hall and proclaimed this space refined and up-to-date, particularly in comparison with back hall's less fashionable raised painted paneling.